2016 Dodge Dart Review

 Performance

As part of the Dodge family, it is only natural that the Dart emphasize a blend of performance and fuel economy. With three good choices, you can't go wrong. The 2-liter engine, producing 160 horsepower, earns 36 mpg with the manual transmission. An automatic is also available. The Aero turbo spits out the same horsepower as the regular engine, but it raises the torque rate to 184 lb.-ft. With a special automated-clutch transmission, this engine earns 40 mpg on the highway. The manual edition boosts that by one mpg. The Dart SXT, GT and Limited editions have a 2.4-liter four-cylinder powertrain. This kicks out 174 lb.-ft. and 184 horsepower. These editions can earn as much as 35 mpg highway. Drivers will enjoy responsive handling from the car's well-weighted steering. If you want a sportier ride, the GT adds a racier suspension.

 Interior

From accents to major splashes, color is everywhere in the Dart. This includes black Nappa leather with red stitching, perforated Nappa leather with tungsten stitching, and ceramic white Nappa leather with tungsten stitching. Cloth choices include a red-and-black combination and a light frost with sport mesh inserts. Even the dash can glow with a thin ruby red bezel surround. Dash stitching, ambient lighting, and padded surfaces add to the quality surroundings. For cargo, the generous trunk offers a choice of a simple pass-through or a 60/40 rear split to assist with bigger or longer items.

 Features

Offering two class exclusives, the Dart cockpit can be the most technologically advanced in its class. The seven-inch driver display nestles between the gauges. Fully configurable, the driver can choose its content. Larger than any other offered in this size car, the 8.4-inch Uconnect interface is extremely user-friendly. Users enjoy large on-screen buttons and straightforward menus. Voice controls are a real asset when you are busy at the wheel. It even has a new Do Not Disturb feature to ward off phone calls or texts when driving is stressful.

 Safety

Earning top marks from the federal crash testing agency, the 2016 Dodge Dart is definitely making a statement about safety. It has eight airbags to prove its dedication to its passengers. Unlike many in its class, the Dart is offering several crash avoidance features. This includes the popular blind-spot warning and a related rear cross-traffic alert. These systems watch for side traffic and notify the driver via an icon on the appropriate side. Help like this may make side-swipe accidents a thing of the past. The alerts certainly help relieve driver stress from lane changes on a busy highway. You can also add automatic wipers, automatic high-beams, power-defrost side mirrors and other helpful safety aids.